Fairfax County Prepares for Hurricane Isabel

Fairfax County Prepares for Hurricane
Isabel

Fairfax County is busy preparing for Hurricane Isabel and some of the
heavy rains and flooding that may accompany her arrival. According to the
National Weather Service, floods cause more damage and loss of life
nationwide than any other natural disaster. If you live in a flood-prone
area, it’s important to protect yourself and your family from the
consequences of hurricanes and flooding.

Fairfax County personnel are monitoring the storm’s progress and making
preparations to respond. They are also working with the Fairfax County
Public Schools to ensure the safety of all students while they are at
school. Any changes to regular school hours and/or transportation will be
announced through local media and may also be found on the FCPS Web site
at www.fcps.edu and on Cox
cable channel 21. Parents may also subscribe to e-mail emergency notices
at the school Web site.

As Hurricane Isabel continues to move closer to Virginia, Governor Mark
R. Warner has declared a State of Emergency. Fairfax County officials
remind residents that this is a good time to review your family disaster
plan and be prepared to implement it. The following advice may help
protect lives and reduce damage before, during and after hurricanes and
flooding.

BEFORE THE STORM

Monitor your local news and the NOAA Weather
Radio for weather-related information. Battery powered weather radios
are available at most stores that sell electronic equipment.

Review your family emergency plan. Decide on a
meeting place away from home where you and your family will gather if
you need to leave your home and family members become separated.

Check your family emergency kit to be sure it is
stocked with essential supplies to last a minimum of three days.
Include items like flashlights and batteries, battery-operated radio,
weather radio, water, canned food and manual can opener, first aid
supplies and medications.

Update your family communication plan. Select an
out-of-state friend or family member to be the single point of contact
for your family. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name,
address and phone number of the contact person.

Make an emergency kit with supplies for your
pet. Most shelters do not allow pets so make plans to move your pet to
a safe location before the storm. Contact hotels and motels outside
your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets. Ask friends,
relatives or others outside your area whether they could shelter your
pet in an emergency. Prepare a list of animal shelters, boarding
facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency.

Learn the safest route from your home or place
of business to a safe area away from the high winds or flooding. If
there is a flood, you may only have minutes to get to safety. Keep your
vehicle fueled and have an updated local map in your car.

Test your smoke detector and replace batteries
if necessary.

Secure garbage cans, lawn furniture or anything
that could fly around and cause damage.

Ensure gutters are clear so water will
drain.

Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.

Make an itemized list of all your personal
property for insurance verification purposes.

DURING THE STORM

Keep your battery-operated radio tuned to a
local station, and follow all instructions. If you are told to
evacuate, move out of the house or building to safe, high ground before
access is cut off by floodwater.

Know how to get emergency information for your
area. Fairfax County government provides emergency information on their
Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov, on Government Cable
Channel 16 and via the county hotline at 703-817-7771, TTY 711.

Be aware that floods are deceptive. Avoid
already-flooded areas. Floodwaters that are above your knees are
dangerous. Turn around and go back to higher ground.

If you find floodwaters on the road while
driving, turn around and find an alternate route. The road could be
washed out and rapidly rising water could lift your car and carry it
away.

If you use a generator for emergency power make
sure it is outdoors in a dry, ventilated area away from attached
garages or air intakes to the house.

Use flashlights instead of candles for light. If
you do have to use candles, place them away from things that will burn.
Never leave candles burning unattended. Extinguish candles when you
leave the room.

AFTER THE STORM

When it is safe to return to your home, be sure
that the structure is not visibly damaged and in danger of collapsing
before entering.

Do not use electrical appliances that have been
wet. Do not turn on damaged electrical appliances because of the
hazards of electric shock or fire.

Watch for live electrical wires. Be sure the
electrical current is turned off and do not attempt to turn on any
electrically-operated light or appliance until an electrician has
checked your system.

Begin cleanup as soon as possible. Throw out
perishable foods; they may be contaminated.

Never allow children to swim or play in or near
floodwaters or detention ponds.

Watch out for rodents and snakes.

For more information on hurricane and flood
preparedness, visit the Fairfax County Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov or call the Fairfax County Emergency
Information line at 703-817-7771, TTY 711.

FAIRFAX COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO A POLICY OF
NONDISCRIMINATION IN ALL COUNTY PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES AND
WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS UPON REQUEST. TO REQUEST SPECIAL
ACCOMMODATIONS, CALL 703-324-3187 OR TTY-703-324-2935. PLEASE ALLOW
FIVE WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF EVENTS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NECESSARY
ARRANGEMENTS